President Barack Obama seems determined to reign over one of the most imperial White Houses in history.
The president is poised to demonstrate that once again, to judge by reports he plans to issue an executive order to protect critical U.S. computer systems such as those regulating financial systems and power grids.
No one argues some new safeguards are not needed. Members of Congress have debated a package of rules - and rejected them. But now Obama is preparing to issue yet another executive order, this one containing some of the very proposals that concerned many lawmakers.
Some businesses have complained the rules would make it difficult and/or more expensive for them to operate. Enough lawmakers agree with them that legislation on the matter stalled in the halls of Congress.
Yet Obama plans to move ahead anyway, once again bypassing Congress as he has done previously on major issues including air pollution rules that will increase electricity costs for tens of millions of Americans.
It has become clear during the past three and one-half years that once Obama sets his mind on doing something, he will not tolerate roadblocks - even those set up by Congress, the elected representatives of the American people.